Parks Canada Begins Deer Cull At Point Pelee National Park

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Point Pelee National Park will be closed from January 12th to 16th and again from the 19th to 23rd for a deer cull.

Parks Canada says that research and monitoring since the 1980’s have shown that large populations of White-tailed deer are having a significant impact on the natural regeneration of plant communities in the park. This monitoring shows that high population numbers of deer are seriously damaging these fragile ecosystems and are further endangering Species at Risk.

White-tailed deer are a native species to Southwestern Ontario and to Point Pelee National Park; however, because of the abundance of leafy canopy to eat, mild winters and most importantly, a lack of natural predators, deer numbers in the park have increased dramatically since the 1960s.

Officials say that reduction of he deer population in the park is critical to the success of Point Pelee National Park’s restoration objectives, including the recovery of the rare Lake Erie Sand Spit Savannah ecosystem.

Parks Canada’s deer reduction program planned for 2015 to 2018 will bring the deer herd population down to a target density of 6 to 8 deer per square kilometre.

Parks Canada and Caldwell First Nation are collaborating to reduce the deer population in Point Pelee National Park in order to maintain sustainable population levels.

The deer that are culled will be used by Caldwell First Nation for personal, community and ceremonial purposes, and will not be sold for profit.

Visitors are asked to contact Point Pelee National Park directly for more information at [email protected] or call 519-322-2365.